Is Your Cyber Posture Unshakable?
5 Steps to Ensure Cyber Posture for Organizations

Cyber threats can range from phishing attacks to ransomware, and they can have devastating consequences if not properly managed. S3 aims to decode these cyber threats and provide steps organizations can take to ensure a proper cyber posture. Though most– if not all–cybersecurity SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) should know these things, sometimes the ability to keep up with new threats often causes a SME to overlook the basics. 

Understanding Cyber Threats 

Cyber threats are potential dangers to an organization’s information systems and data. They can come from various sources including hackers, insider threats, and even state-sponsored actors. Some common types of cyber threats include: 

  • Malware: Malicious software such as viruses, worms, and ransomware that can damage or disrupt systems. 
  • Phishing: Deceptive practices that trick users into revealing sensitive information. 
  • DDoS Attacks: Overwhelming a network or service with traffic to cause a denial of service. 
  • Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to data, often with the intent to steal sensitive information. 

5 Steps to Ensure a Proper Cyber Posture 

  1. Risk Assessment

The first step in ensuring a proper cyber posture is to conduct a thorough risk assessment. This involves identifying potential threats, assessing the vulnerabilities in your landscape, and systems that could be exploited and evaluating the potential impact of a cyber-attack. Layered security has its place but it also needs to be understood that a Risk Management Framework is just that, a framework. In other words, layered security measures should be seen within the broader context of the RMF, which provides a systematic and comprehensive approach to managing risks across an organization. The idea is to not view layered security in isolation but to integrate it strategically within the overall framework for effective risk management. Most organizations will look to standardize with an RMF but often forget periodic review. A risk assessment should be customized and tailored to each business. Generic frameworks can get the organization started, but should not be the result. 

  1. Implementing Security Measures 

Based on the risk assessment, organizations should implement appropriate security measures. This could include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption for data at rest and in transit, properly tuned SIEM  (Security Information and Event Management) and EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) tools. However, it’s important to recognize that the biggest security measures we possess are well trained and passionate Cyber Warriors (analysts). Cyber Warriors who are trained well can offer razor sharp cyber “weapons” to defend against breaches and are the best line of defense for an organization. Allowing your Cyber Warriors to dive in and tune the tools required for a customized security posture and cyber program for your organization–the key to any organization’s security measures.  

  1. Regular Updates and Patches 

While patching is a key factor to stay ahead of security issues, this is also filled with false hope. The predominant perspective is that patching makes things ok. Regular updates and patches address vulnerabilities that may be easily exploited by attackers. Thus, keeping software and systems up to date is crucial in defending against cyber threats, but is not the whole picture. Many organizations also don’t patch systems due to cost or a belief that some applications are only required to keep “business as usual”. Hence, newer and more secure patched images are not implemented. Instead the organization chooses to accept risk and simply hope nothing bad happens, choosing High Availability (HA) over security. 

  1. Employee Training 

End-user employees are often the weakest link in an organization’s cyber defenses. Regular training can help employees recognize and respond to cyber threats, such as phishing emails, but training should go even further. The standardized training videos required by compliance don’t go far enough, and are unable to keep pace with emerging threat practices. Further, programs are focused on pass/fail versus teaching students how to solve problems and think through risk…It’s time to “flip the script” on training materials for employees as every organization counts on employees to be knowledgeable, not accepting of clicking through material.  

  1. Incident Response Plan 

Despite the best defenses, breaches can still occur. Incident response plans outline appropriate steps taken in the event of a cyber-attack, helping to minimize damage and recover more quickly. Cyber Warriors need to be trained, mentored, and always ready for anything coming their way. Incident response plans are only as effective as the training and the diligence of those Cyber Warriors. Cyber BAMCIS (An S3 training program) centers on staying calm and focusing on the tasks at hand. Eliminating threats while noting where and how those threats made their way into the infrastructure or systems. Documentation of all incidents is a key action to ensure vulnerabilities are not repeating history.  

Conclusion 

Understanding cyber threats are here to stay is the first step to success in any organization.  Accepting risk because it is “too expensive to fix” or “we have deadlines” is how organizations will bypass these security requirements. History and trends have shown some companies focus on significantly reducing InfoSec budgets while focusing on cyber insurance, which is little more than stowing money in preparation for blowback and the cost mitigation. This is a detrimental approach to protecting any organization. While the finance people look for the immediate cost impact and focus on the bottom line, it is the Cyber Warriors responsibility to maintain security. Therefore, an organization must think of the long game, as not doing so can only lead to harm in the event of an attack or breach.